Budget Software & Banking

[swee'pea99]

e.g. change your passwords every 3-4 weeks

Does anyone do this? Really?

 

[User169]

If you change your mind, it's just a matter of filling in a form but I agree that changing banks is a bit daunting. Apparently it's got a lot easier since I defected from Barclays all those years ago.

Aside warning.

My Dad left Barclays when they stopped returning his old cheques. He used to keep for them for a few years and them burn them.

 

[snorri]

I don't disagree with that, it did work fine. However. I didn't ask to be with them... and I have an aversion to red.

I didn't like the Alliance and Leicester because the name made the move sound like a step down to a small town operator after being served satisfactorily by the National Girobank. The customer is so difficult to please.

 

[sheddy]

TGBs are thieving lying barstewards who put shareholders before customers. Use a Building Society, the Nationwide are very good.

 

[colly]

First Direct. Been using them since they were a telephone back. Online now and it just........... works.

No idea about budgeting software tbh. I've always used the hat method.

 

[slowmotion]

Here's my First Direct story. Twenty years ago, my wife rang me from a shop in Taunton Deane service station on the M5, en route to Cornwall. She said she had left her handbag in the hall in London and had no cards, no notes, no phone, no nothing......and she was about to run out of petrol. I phoned First Direct and asked if I could somehow transfer some money from my current account to her Lloyds account so that she could pick up some cash at a bank in Taunton. They arranged it in twenty minutes. The bank charges for doing this? Zero.

 

[flake99please]

There are plenty of home budgeting apps available on the App Store/google play market for free/small charge. I would suggest you consider looking at these options for your budgeting needs. FWIW I have used the online banking services for TSB for 10+ years, and cannot fault their desktop or mobile sites.

 

[Over The Hill]

I have got Santander, HSBC, Nationwide and Nat West accounts all with online access. Santander seems by far the easiest to log on and use.

I am not clear on the apps you are referring to, I only use the banks own downloaded links and log in to access the account. I would not use any third party software or any kit whatsoever and it may be against the banks policy to do so.
I go by the principle that if the money is in their bank and I stick to the rules then it is their problem if it is stolen.

I have not been in a bank branch for about three years. Why would you?

 

[*Dusty*]

I use Halifax online and the halifax app on my phone. Very good I have to say.

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

Digital services vary widely between banks, it's hugely competitive with each one investing hundreds of millions trying to out do each other on what they can offer. But the channel through which the customer engages with the bank is only half the story, behind it all is the creak of 1970's mainframe coding trying to keep pace with today's 24*7 demand. So look beyond the app itself, look at what specific services you may require, look at charges of course, and consider the system crash record of the bank in question, bearing in mind that often the brand in question has its IT operation provided by what appears to be a competitor brand.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

... consider the system crash record of the bank in question...

How would we do that? Is there a web site that publicises these? I wouldn't bother asking my bank, because their answer would be largely motivated by (business) self-interest.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

It looks like I partly answered my own question, at least for Australian banks. This report, by CANSTAR, an Australian customer satisfaction research business, gives a fairly good report on the state of online banking here:
http://cdn.canstar.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Online-Banking-Award-Report_June_2015.pdf

No doubt the UK has something similar, it's just a matter of finding it somehow.

 

[PaulSB]

I realise Santander comes in for a lot of flak but we have banked with them for years with no issues.

Since we began using online banking managing our finances has become much easier. Text alerts when the account reaches certain, low, limits are excellent for avoiding bank charges for overdraft use etc. The text alert for major purchases above a certain limit are scary if my wife is shopping!!!

The online banking provides all we need and the messaging service always provides a fast response. This makes me ask more questions and gain better use of my accounts than I would if it involved endless questions.

The app is good for quick daily checks on balances and for small regular payments of varying amounts like the milkman or coal man.